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EWS
Last edited by
railwayadam
• 4 months ago
EWS was the dominant freight force of the 1990s and 2000s, famous for introducing the Class 66 and transforming the UK's rail logistics under its iconic maroon and gold branding.
Founded
1996
Status
Historic (ended 2007)
Country
UK
Regions
ALL
Website
—
Reference
—
Operator Code
EW
Also known as:
North & South Railways, English Welsh & Scottish Railway, DB Schenker, DB Cargo UK (current)
English, Welsh & Scottish Railway (EWS) was the undisputed titan of the post-privatisation freight era, formed in 1996 after a consortium led by the American company Wisconsin Central purchased the majority of British Rail’s freight sectors. At its peak, EWS controlled roughly 90% of the UK’s rail freight market, hauling everything from coal and steel to the prestigious Royal Mail "Mail by Rail" contracts. By streamlining operations and replacing the ageing, fragmented regional sectors of British Rail with a singular, aggressive corporate identity, EWS fundamentally reshaped the logistics of the UK network.
For enthusiasts, EWS is synonymous with the Class 66 "Shed." In 1998, the company placed a massive £350m order for 250 of these General Motors-built locomotives, a move that brought unprecedented reliability but also signalled the "cull" of beloved older types like the Class 31, 37, and 47. Beyond the 66s, the company introduced the high-speed Class 67 for mail and passenger work and managed a diverse fleet of "heritage" diesels in its early years, including the Class 56, 58, and 60. Their iconic maroon and gold livery, featuring the "Three Beasties" logo (representing the English lion, Welsh dragon, and Scottish stag), remains one of the most recognisable brands in modern railway history.
The company’s influence extended into the passenger sector, as they frequently provided "Thunderbird" rescue locomotives for failing passenger trains and operated the Caledonian Sleeper and various charter services. However, the EWS era came to an end after it was acquired by the German state operator Deutsche Bahn in 2007. The brand was eventually retired in 2009 in favour of DB Schenker, which later became DB Cargo UK. Today, while the maroon and gold is slowly fading from the network, many Class 66s and 67s still carry the legacy of the "Big Red Machine" in their original paintwork.
For enthusiasts, EWS is synonymous with the Class 66 "Shed." In 1998, the company placed a massive £350m order for 250 of these General Motors-built locomotives, a move that brought unprecedented reliability but also signalled the "cull" of beloved older types like the Class 31, 37, and 47. Beyond the 66s, the company introduced the high-speed Class 67 for mail and passenger work and managed a diverse fleet of "heritage" diesels in its early years, including the Class 56, 58, and 60. Their iconic maroon and gold livery, featuring the "Three Beasties" logo (representing the English lion, Welsh dragon, and Scottish stag), remains one of the most recognisable brands in modern railway history.
The company’s influence extended into the passenger sector, as they frequently provided "Thunderbird" rescue locomotives for failing passenger trains and operated the Caledonian Sleeper and various charter services. However, the EWS era came to an end after it was acquired by the German state operator Deutsche Bahn in 2007. The brand was eventually retired in 2009 in favour of DB Schenker, which later became DB Cargo UK. Today, while the maroon and gold is slowly fading from the network, many Class 66s and 67s still carry the legacy of the "Big Red Machine" in their original paintwork.
EWS train videos - page 2
Showing 500 of 5,323 videos.
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West Coast Mainline trains
Fantastic Freight Action a 4 Locations Doncaster Sheffield Kensington Olympia Gospel Oak London
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Lea Road & Old Hall talks
“Swanage railway” 66741 4L19 STP with 30 containers 09;57 2E Lea Road 12/11/2025
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West Coast Mainline trains
Fantastic Acton Of DB Trains on UKs railways Network 2025 Part Three
DestinationTrainsPlanes
Light Load for pair of TRACTORS around the CURVE - Plus RARE LOCO move and VANDALISED Unit..!
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West Coast Mainline trains
Fantastic Action of DB Trains on UKs Railway Network 2025 Part One
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales 2003. 47853 Abercynon-Cathays Yard, Northern Belle Coach
DestinationTrainsPlanes
LOCOS on Depot with 43154 TUCKED Under TREES & 44932 Leaving at Carnforth STEAMTOWN - With 37712
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West Coast Mainline trains
Fantastic Busy Morning At Nuneaton Station Class 93s revenue Service to Wolverton 9th October 2025
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West Coast Mainline trains
Fantastic Freight trains at Rugby Nuneaton Tamworth Rainham London 30th September 2025
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West Coast Mainline trains
Nice Few Hours at Nuneaton Station Freight+Passenger Trains September 30th 2025 WCML
Trains & Freight Diaries
4 Hours at Derby Station Class 93s, 66s, 37 Convoy, 810 Aurora & More! 07/10/25 #train
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West Coast Mainline trains
Fantastic Busy Lunch Time at Rainham London Freight/Passenger Trains C2C Eurostar Javelin 1st Oct 25
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DestinationTrainsPlanes
STORMY Conditions as 37501 joins the party - With a DECORATED 37423 and Captioned Workings!
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DestinationTrainsPlanes
Tractor & Translator STORM Eardington Bank - Plus 37423 first Run at 65th Anniversary Event!
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DestinationTrainsPlanes
The SWEET Sound of NOTHING but Class 37's Including the THUNDERSLUG!
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DestinationTrainsPlanes
Class 37 65th ANNIVERSARY Celebrations at SVR Begin! 10 x TRACTORS present!
The East Anglian Spotter
37508,37688,37264 and 37250 convoy through Chesterfield working 0Z08 30/9/25
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Lea Road & Old Hall talks
“Sunderland AFC” 66725 4E20 with 45 containers 17;56 4E Lea Road 27/9/2025
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 2010s Westbury (Wiltshire) + Upton Scudamore (Wiltshire) on 28th January 2013
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West Coast Mainline trains
Fantastic Busy Afternoon At Wolverton Station Freight/Passenger Trains 12th September 2025 WCML
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DestinationTrainsPlanes
Choppers & Deltic SNEAK UP on me at SPEED - Plus RARELY seen locos behind Toton North Yard!
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 2010s Bournemouth Station and The British Pullman on 30th August 2012
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West Coast Mainline trains
Freight Trains at 2 Locations Carlisle + Lockerbie station 26th August 2025 WCML 
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DestinationTrainsPlanes
Out of SIGHT - Out of MIND...? DB Class 60 Scrap Line DISAPPEARING into the Undergrowth!
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 2010s Micheldever (Hampshire) Seen From Popham No 2 Tunnel on 26th July 2012
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DestinationTrainsPlanes
37423 with NEW Livery & 69009 BUSY at Leicester Locomotive Inspection Point..! Plus 810008 on test.!
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DestinationTrainsPlanes
Looking FABULOUS - 60099 'Ben More Assynt' ready for a COMEBACK.! Plus 60022 REMOVED from Brush!
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DestinationTrainsPlanes
Class 99's Without an Escort..! Plus 60060 Piped up ready to be moved at Leicester LIP 29/08/25
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West Coast Mainline trains
Part 2 Freight/passenger/Steam Trains at Oxenholme Lake District & Carlisle 19/08/25
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 2010s Millbrook (Southampton) + Southampton Central on 30th June 2012
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West Coast Mainline trains
Fantastic Bush Rush Hour at Sandbach Station passenger/ freight trains Diversions 19th August 2025 
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rail in Wales August 2005. 35 clips in busier times, mostly loco hauled.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railtour Feb. 2001."Merseyside Beat" Haulage by 56, 60, 66, 67, 92. Open window Newport-Liverpool.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railways 1998. Loco hauled in Stafford, New St., Parkway, Bridgend andd Cardiff Canton.
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 2010s A busy Afternoon at Eastleigh Station and Works on 5th May 2012
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 2010s Compilation of Short Visits from 2012 Volume 1 of 3 (January - March)
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales at Bishton Flyover. Class 58, 60, 66, 67 HST. Busier times?
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales "20 years ago today" Barry Docks, East Usk, Scrap Units.
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 2010s Eastleigh Station and Yard (Southampton) on 10th December 2011
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales. Inside Bargoed Signal Box workings. 37408/405/411 too.
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 2010s Milford Junction near Selby ( S. Yorkshire) on 16th & 17th May 2011
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales 7th May 2025. 8 x 66s, Bishton Box and manned level crossing
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales. May 2005. Much busier; enjoy the memories 37/47/59/60/66
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 2010s Wandsworth Road Station (South London, Battersea) on 22nd April 2011
![Interesting & special trainspotting at Ashford International! Ep.10! [Ft.66 & special trains] 8/4/25](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pD80gGEshcU/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCKgBEF5IWvKriqkDGQgBFQAAiEIYAdgBAeIBCggYEAIYBjgBQAE=&rs=AOn4CLBDnw8rMpgRDhCCzIlUA79siQ1BKw)
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales. "It was 20 years ago today" 8 x New 66s, Rugby Specials etc.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales 20 years ago. International Rugby. 6 x 67s and much more
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales. Feb 2001. Loco hauled. 33,37,47,60,66,67 & HST. Video No.1303.
swindon_rail enthusiast
Frome Model Railway Exhibition 2025 | featuring Carlyon Dock 00 gauge layout with a few visitors
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales. Latest developments, new stations, FLIRTS at Aberdare etc.
